When I spoke to the Philippino young lady working in the restaurant of our hotel ‘ Manzil’ in Downtown Dubai she says it’s not so hot. I suppose it’s what your used to and maybe on a chilly day in Central Otago some people would say it’s not so cold – Not that I can necessarily cope with both.
It’s Eid holiday in the Muslim world. It lasts for 10 days and this year encompasses two weekends. Most workers also get 2 days off work. The Dubai Emirates population is made up of 90% expats – working across the spectrum in a city where it’s almost impossible to own your own property, but this city has developed into a world hub for business, education and tourism .New giant high-rise buildings emerge every-time I visit and its hard to imagine how they can be filled with offices, apartments and the insatiable demand for hotels.
Manzil hotel is in Downtown Dubai which means it sits in the area dominated by the tallest building in the world – the Burg Khalifa – although not for much longer as the next version is well under way. Sitting at its spreading water-lily looking base is the enormous Dubai Mall, the recently opened Opera House and the ever popular fountain which dances to popular music every 30 minutes .
The boulevard is usually deep with visitors enjoying the fountain and the neon display lighting up the full length of the Burg Khalifa is something else. Because of the holiday the crowds are dense and noticeably filled with young men from Pakistan, India and Bangladesh – They looked fabulous in their traditional clothes and were obviously enjoying time off from their work in the construction industry which must be so hot and relentless – They are essential in enabling Dubai to grow as fast as it does. Dubai is hosting the World Expo in 2020 and the race is on to impress the world.
Like all of the indentured workers Eunice the 26-year-old Philippino girl working in our hotel sends all her money home to her family. She provides for them by working 6 days a week and gets month off each year to return and visit. She has been here since she was 23 and the prospects of working in her own home country are very slim. She wants to become a chef and work in the hotel kitchen patisserie section. She is hoping there will be an opening in the hotel soon. Like all the hospitality workers here they couldn’t do enough to help, they loved to chat and interact and were very proud of their jobs.
After a big first day – arriving at 5.30 am, city tour for 4 hours, an exhilarating ride up to the 124th floor of the Burg Khalifa, drinks in the hotel courtyard and an Arab Meze dinner at my favourite Wafi Gourmet we all crashed and slept like babies.
Relaxation in the key to this stop over and most of my group spent a very special few hours on our second day enjoying high tea at the famous, absolutely outstanding Burg Al Arab – they arrived back fizzing about their extraordinary adventure into the world of opulence and grandeur in one of the best hotels in the world.
Once again its been a special time to become acquainted with some of my tour group and I’m looking forward to getting my whole group together in Venice to start the 6th Italy / France tour.